Fastening of timepiece movement



y 8, 1969 J.YSIMON 3,453,820

FASTENING OF TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT .Filed A rn'rr, 1967 United States Patent 3,453,820 FASTENING 0F TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT John Simon, 2720 Tramelan, Switzerland Filed Apr. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 631,549 Claims priority, application Switzerland, May 3, 1966, 6,416/66 Int. Cl. G04b 37/08 US. CI. 58-90 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fluid-tight joint between a crystal and a watch case is made with an annular gasket, the inner periphery of which in confined by an annular elastic metallic member which is elastically deformed as the edge of the crystal is pressed against the gasket by a threaded bezel. The elastic member improves the effectiveness of the joint and avoids damage to the gasket by excessive tightening of the bezel.

A known system proposes to make more efficient the support of the movement by the interposition of a wavy spring acting in a direction parallel to the axis of the movement and bearing against the base of a bezel bearing the glass and force-fitted a part of the case forming a fastening notch. This spring has an annular shape and is lodged in a groove made in a fitting frame. The axial action of the spring on the frame and against the base of the glass improves the water tightness of the latter.

This system requires a large fitting circle the diameter of which is in any event greater than that of the frame in order that the groove in which is lodged the spring exceeds the periphery of the frame and allows the spring to reach the base of the bezel. Such an arrangement entails the construction of watch cases the diameter of which is relatively large with respect to that of the movement and in which the wall of the middle is rather thin. However it is known that water tight cases are generally provided with a tube driven into the middle and that the wall of the tube must be sufiiciently thick so that the driven segment of the tube be guided at a suitable length in order to remain in an axis parallel to the plane of the movement.

The present invention has for an object the fastening of a timepiece movement surrounded by a fitting frame having means bearing at least indirectly the glass, characterised in that said means consists of elastic elements extending outside the fitting diameter of said frame.

The accompanying drawing represents by way of example one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view thereof.

FIGURE 2 shows in cross-section a detail of FIG- URE 1.

This case comprises a one piece bottom-middle. Movement 2 is secured to the fitting frame 3 by a screw not shown finding support on shoulder 4 of the fitting frame and on movement 2. This fitting frame rests in its lower part on a shoulder 5 of the case and has at its upper part a ring 6 extending radially outside the fitting diameter of frame 3. This ring is set on this frame and can ice consist preferably of a material different from that of the latter. When frame 3 is of brass, the ring 6 can be of nickel or steel, metals which have a better coefiicient of elasticity than brass. The ring 6 is provided on its outside periphery with an annular segment 7 perpendicular to the plane of the movement and coming to bear against base 8 of glass 9. The latter is secured by a threaded bezel 10 screwed on a tapped part 11 of bottommiddle 1 pressing a packing joint 12 placed in a housing formed on the one end by a wall of the bezel-middle and on the other by segment 7 of ring 6.

A tube 13 driven in the bezel-middle is intended for the passage of the winding stem. This tube penetrates by its inner extremity in the case and a slot 14 is made in the fitting frame 3 in order to permit its introduction. This tube communicates with movement 2 through opening 15 of frame 3.

A circular groove 16 is made under ring 6 in the bottom-middle 1 and in the part of the tube protruding inside the case. This groove allows the ring to deform under the pressure exerted by the base 8 of the glass.

To encase movement 2 it is first secured to frame 3 as previously described, then the assembly is introduced from the dial side of the case. The angular positioning is obtained by means of slot 14 made in frame 3 the width of which corresponds to the diameter of the tube, thus defining exactly the annular position which the movement is to occupy. There is then placed joint 12 in the lodging formed by the middle-bottom and segment 7 of ring 6. The glass 9 is placed and finally the bezel 10 is screwed which provokes an axial pressure on the glass which is transmitted by space 8 to the extremity of segment 7 of ring 6 and to packing joint 12. By continuing to screw the bezel, the ring 6 is elastically deformed in groove 16. The fastening of the fitting frame as well as that of the bezel is made more eificient by means of this elastic element. Moreover, the compression of the joint is limited by this elastic element thus avoiding damage thereto as a result of excess tightening.

What is claimed is:

1. In a watch having a movement surrounded by a frame having an upper recessed shoulder fitting in an opening in the middle of the watch, and having means bearing at least indirectly against the watch glass of said watch, the improvement whereby said means consist of an elastic, metallic, element on said shoulder, said element having an outer peripheral rim forming one wall of a housing adapted to receive a packing joint.

2. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said elastic element consists of a ring having a part parallel to the plane of said movement, said part having one extremity integral with said frame and a free extremity having a segment perpendicular said plane, said glass having a base supported by said last segment.

3. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said element is fitted on said frame.

4. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said element is integral with said frame.

5. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said recessed shoulder has a vertical portion and said element has an outer peripheral rim and a central part surrounded thereby and sit on said shoulder, said vertical portion of said FOREIGN PATENTS shoulder being inclined over said central part and defining with said rim a housing for a Water tight packing joint, 327025 1/1958 Switzerland said ring serving to limit the axial compression of said 336,016 3/1959 swltlellandjoint. 371,054 9/ 1963 Switzerland.

6. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said element consists of a material having a better coefiicient of RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

elasticity than that forming said frame. G. MILLER JR. Assistant Examiner.

References Cited .8. C1. X.R. UNITED STATES PATENTS 58 91 U 1,853,388 4/1932 Wadsworth 58 -90 3,355,875 12/1967 Jeanmoned et a1. 58-90 

